Animal Charities

The Today show rolled out the red carpet – and fire hydrants! – on Wednesday, in honor of a special new cohost.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind has temporarily given the morning show a 10-week-old yellow Labrador retriever puppy to train as a guide dog.

"This is a really great experience both for Guiding Eyes and for the puppy," said Saxon Eastman, a trainer for the non-profit organization, who gives guide dogs free of charge to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

"This is going to be an awesome socialization experience for him. That's really what we're looking for, to put him on the right track to being a guide dog someday."

"I kind of fell for him and told my wife, 'You know, I met this dog today, I think we should adopt him.'"

That dog was Tank, a 6-year-old bulldog living at New York City's Top Dog rescue in the Bronx for the past three years – the longest stay any resident at the rescue has ever had, according to New York's News 12.

The reason the dog has spent half his life looking for a home is very superficial, said Andrew Dymburt, a spokesman for the rescue.

Home. Some pets never have one to call their own. We want to help change that by introducing you to an extraordinary adoptable pet every week. Today, meet Hope, a sweet girl who is ready to be someone's loyal companion.

Early last year, Hope was saved from a kill shelter and transferred to a boarding facility by a rescuer. Sadly, that rescuer ran out of money and told the boarding facility that Hope was on her own. The facility contacted the L.A. Animal Rescue, who took her in and is now trying to find the dog a forever hoem.

Home. Some pets never have one to call their own. We'd like to help change that by introducing you to an extraordinary adoptable pet every week. Today, meet Holmes, a shy guy living at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, Montana.

Holmes's heart is nearly as big as he is. Just under 1 year old, this 54-lb. pup is overflowing with love, but lacks confidence. He needs a person to help him out of his shell.

"Holmes is a special puppy – he's very shy, and needs a home with an experienced owner who is dedicated to [his] social development," says stray canine coordinator Tiffany Smith.

Home. Some pets never have one to call their own. We'd like to help change that by introducing you to an extraordinary adoptable pet every week. Today, meet Rainbow, a Jack Russell terrier mix currently being fostered in Manhattan through the Best Friends Animal Society – New York.

Last month, Rainbow helped ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange – a sign that her new life was just beginning.

Home. Some pets never have one to call their own. We'd like to help change that by introducing you to an extraordinary adoptable pet every week. Today, meet Fiona, a bull terrier mix from the Eleventh Hour Rescue in Rockaway, New Jersey.

Fiona's heart is just as big as her smile. This 18-month-old sweetheart was found tied to a park bench in Atlanta, but clearly her rough start hasn't held her back one bit. Because of her infectious personality and her love of new people, she's a shelter favorite.

"She is the true definition of a best friend," says volunteer Laura Gubitosa. "When she loves you, she is incredibly loyal and will have you smiling and laughing all day long. Just such a joy to be around."

Just a few weeks ago, she was dumped by the side of the road like trash.

Now, that same neglected dog named Gladys is on the road to recovery – and her story is sure to inspire many this holiday season.

Two days before Thanksgiving, Karen Herrera was out for a morning walk in Fontana, California, and discovered the unimaginable: a little dog in need of serious medical attention, left for dead in a tied-up trash bag.

"She was there inside the bag. She was scared and cold," Herrera told KTLA News. "I patted her on the back of her spine and she started, she was bleeding."

Home. Some pets never have one to call their own. We'd like to help change that by introducing you to an extraordinary adoptable pet every week. Today, meet Humphrey, a senior pup living at the Mitchell Animal Rescue in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Earlier this year, Humphrey was abandoned at a pound and headed for death row. The Mitchell Animal Rescue scooped him up, cleaned him up, and is now working to find the pup a forever home in which he can spend his golden years. Don't let his looks fool you – Humphrey still has lots of energy. If you're not paying attention, he's been known to swipe good food off of a countertop.

"He is healthy and is still a silly, playful puppy," says spokeswoman Megan Luther. "He is housetrained, loves kids and dogs. He is a big, gentle boy, who loves to be with people."